Optically Pumped High Power Solid State Switch

High power, high voltage, high current, solid state switches are needed for pulse power switching in RF accelerators. However, currently available switches have poor efficiency when used for short pulse applications. The development of a high current switch with a fast turn-on time would address this problem. This project will develop compact, low cost, optically-pumped silicon switches that can achieve rise times less than 50 ns while operating at up to 10 kA peak current, provide di/dt greater than 100 kA/µs, and can block energies exceeding 5 kV. Phase I will demonstrate a fully-functional switch by modifying existing electrically triggered high power silicon devices. Devices targeted specifically for optical pumping, which can be fabricated using standard materials and processed with conventional technology, will be designed and fabricated in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The optically-pumped switches should provide greater switching efficiency and power handling capability, enabling application at higher ambient temperatures and/or reducing thermal management requirements. In addition to high energy particle accelerator applications, the switch should find use in such applications as radar, microwave, lasers for eye surgery, and modulators for radiation therapy, all of which require 100 ns switching that cannot be accomplished with the currently available technology.